Michigan training more state troopers despite violence against police

Michigan State Police Trooper Kellie Schaffer, from Benton Harbor, adjusts the tie on the uniform of Stephanie Chang, from Troy. Chang attended the 129th Trooper Recruit School at Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing and graduated on Aug. 26. (Gina Joseph/Digital First Media)

Trooper recruits practice their stance and movements during a firearms class at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing. For the first time in the department's 99-year history three trooper recruit classes were held at the same time. (Gina Joseph/Digital First Media)

“It’s definitely a challenging time in law enforcement, but who is going to protect the people of our state?” said Sgt. Kandyce Herr, of the Michigan State Police and commander of the 131st Trooper Recruit School.

For the first time in the department’s 99-year history, three trooper recruit schools were held at the same time.

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“Someone must be willing to stand up and say, ‘let it be me’,” Herr said.

Among the willing were twin brothers Paul and William Fry, 22, from Roseville.

“My brother and I used to play cops and robbers all the time when we were kids and we were always the police,” said Paul Fry. “I’ve always looked up to law enforcement officers.”

As teenagers, both he and William belonged to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Explorers, which aims to educate and mentor young men and women who are interested in police work.

“I feel like I can make a difference,” said William Fry, who wore the same face and same blue shirt, pants and tie as his brother.

The clothes weren’t the traditional blues worn by troopers but a lighter shade and with their ties tucked into their shirt, which signifies those in training.

“I’m one small person but I have a large family behind me who are planning to take the oath to protect and serve their community,” William Fry said.

“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing,” said Michael Mattox, 24, from Troy, who is also a member of the 131st.

“I was a camp counsellor and I really think I have a natural gift when it comes to talking to people who are struggling,” Mattox said. “As a trooper, I see myself as someone coming into people’s lives and setting them on the right track.”

Dangerous Times

According to a report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 67 federal, state and local law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty as of July 20, 2016, increasing 8 percent over the 62 officers killed in the same period last year.

The report also revealed an alarming 78 percent spike in firearms-related officer fatalities, including many that were ambush-style killings.

“That’s a very alarming, shocking increase in the number of officers who are being literally assassinated because of the uniform they wear and the job that they do,” said Craig Floyd, Memorial Fund president and CEO, in an article by Fox News.

The memorial fund report is normally released after the first six months of the year, but it was extended due to the recent attacks on police.

On July 7, a sniper killed five police officers and wounded seven people in Dallas. The shooter was killed by police.

A week later, three Baton Rouge, Louisiana, police officers were killed in an ambush.

“As a mother I am terrified but also proud that my son has not backed away from his goals and ambitions because of fears of panic,” said Mattox’s mother, Mary Mattox, from Grand Rapids.

“This is what he feels called to do,” she said. “He’s very focused. But every time I hear about another cop killing on television I shudder.”

Since its inception in 1917, 52 members of the Michigan State Police, who took their oath to “preserve, protect and defend” died in the line of duty.

Historic Role

The Michigan State Police have been training law enforcement officers since April 19, 1917.

When America entered World War I, Michigan leaders mobilized the state’s extensive industrial resources for the war effort.

Out of fear of industrial espionage and mine worker strikes, the state created the Michigan State Troops Permanent Force.

Most of the recruits were men with military and prior police experience. Others had no formal training except, perhaps, that they could ride a horse and shoot a gun.

Initially, it consisted of five troops of mounted, dismounted and motorized units, totaling 300 men.

Eventually, a wooden barracks was built to serve as the training facility for the semi-military police force patterned after Canada’s Royal Northwest Mounted Police and the Pennsylvania and New York State Constabularies.

The first uniforms were khaki green with accessories that included silver and leather riding spurs and a wide-brimmed hat.

It was a temporary force until March 26, 1919, when it was reorganized as the permanent peacetime Michigan State Police.

With the modern system of professional law enforcement officers came blue uniforms and further training in water safety and firearms.

“Our theory has been to train our men to handle situations without using their guns,” according to the academy director’s quote in 1942. “But when the point comes where a gun must be used and the solution of a situation is either shooting a desperado or a state trooper, we believe in shooting the desperado.”

Becoming A Trooper

Recruits attending the academy must pass a stringent selection process that includes a physical fitness test, background investigation and hiring interview.

Once chosen, they report to the academy for 23 weeks of instruction, covering everything from water safety, firearms and criminal law to report writing, fingerprinting, crime scene processing and precision driving.

Training begins each day with the 5 a.m. reveille.

“There are definitely some things in this building that will challenge everyone,” said Herr, who is commander of the 131st Trooper Recruit School and became interested in law enforcement because of a family member who was a trooper. “It just depends on where their weaknesses are.”

For Mattox, Sundays are the hardest. That’s when he leaves his family, girlfriend and his private life to start another week of training.

“The mornings are rough too because of the PT,” Mattox said, referring to physical training, which includes running, followed by sit-ups, leg lifts, push-ups, and more running.

“Let’s move, one-two-one-two!” shouted a trooper in charge, shortly after the wake-up call. Minutes later, three rows of sleepy-eyed recruits were jogging in place behind their class leader, waiting for the go-ahead. On this day it was William Fry who led the 131st.

Then they were off, running for the door leading into the darkness leftover from the night before, or grabbing for a mat to throw on the hard gymnasium floor.

If they were not running or pushing a tractor tire, they were doing exercises that pushed their bodies to the limit, and then pushed some more.

“I assure you when you think you’ve done the last push-up, you can do more,” Herr said to her recruits only hours before. “Do not give up on yourself.”

They endured.

Then they were given minutes to shower and dress before being marched into the cafeteria for breakfast. After that, they were off again to prepare for room inspections, classes, lunch, more classes, dinner, and studying.

At 10 p.m. all of the sounds of men and women training gave way to taps, followed by silence. Then it was lights out for another day.

Being A Trooper

“This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Stephanie Chang, 26, from Troy.

Chang was among the recruits who graduated on Aug. 26.

“Completing the water safety part was probably my proudest moment,” she said.

Chang said she’s a decent swimmer but the exercise required a great deal of mental and physical toughness.

“When it was over, I stood in the shower sobbing tears of joy because I did it,” Chang said. “I was very scared but I didn’t quit and it shows how strong I really am.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology and community action and social change at the University of Michigan, she decided to join the academy.

“Michigan State Police has been doing excellent work to fight it and I wanted to be part of that,” said Chang, who weighs 105 pounds and is 5-feet, 1-inch tall and managed to take on people in her class twice her size.

“Growing up as small Asian women we are told we are not strong and that we are helpless. I would like to play a part in breaking that stereotype,” she said. “I also think it’s important for the Michigan State Police to be diverse and to look like the community it serves.”

Trooper Kellie Schaffer, 45, from Benton Harbor, is the last black woman to graduate from the academy.

“This is something that everyone can do,” said Shaffer, whose father worked in law enforcement for 33 years before retiring.

She patrolled the highways for 12 years before pulling over to teach at the academy.

“To be honest, I really enjoy going to work and I’m always excited to be out there meeting people. But what good am I if I’m not giving back to aspiring recruits who have a desire to be troopers?”